I preferred to use a MIG welder and angle grinder to make the most of the dash I had. It's quite simple to cut bits of metal to shape and weld in with close spaced tacks. Most of the time was spent filing the fill pieces and the holes to make them match well. It was a lot less effort to weld and paint the dash in situ, than it would have been to take it out. I sat a board on my lap to catch sparks and had a wet rag to cool each weld as I went. See the other two photos in the image gallery for before and after shots.

I recently fitted and OD and put an aftermarket illuminated pull switch in the cigarette lighter hole. No need for an extra hole in the dash and it looks the part.